Interesting stats, Janice. We have a young man who has land around us. He is pastoring in a nondenominational church that has been growing in our area. It started in one town and is now in three. I just heard they are starting in another small town near us. They meet in store front buildings or former businesses. We have been to one for a funeral. They also have regular worship services around the year in various local buildings meant to bring in folks from all the other Christian churches. We have some others of these types of churches around also.
I am glad for any ministry that helps people meet and grow in Christ, but it does make me sad to see so many traditional churches struggle or close. I also see the uniqueness of Christian church architecture being lost or perhaps, like in Europe, become relics of the past. Buildings can reflect the view we have of God for better or worse. Of course, that is a huge discussion.
Our pastor comes from one of those churches and has, essentially, brought the theological emphasis with him. The church we started attending is no longer there except for the building.
Interesting to think about, Kathaleena. The church where I have membership used to be a mega church until it declined. Now it still has the huge facilities but small congregation, my guess is maybe 200 or so. The other churches I have been a member at are probably around 70 active members.
I hope AJ is okay. He has posted nothing of the politics page so far today.
Finally, I succeeded in getting propane for winter heating at my brother’s home.
Our low was 41 this morning. It is cloudy and very fall like. I had an early morning dental appt and stopped off to take care of a couple errands while in town. My lower lip is no longer numb but it’s a tad bit sore… We love our dentist.
There is something about entering an old church building. To me it is enveloping and safe for some reason. It is rather off putting to me when I walk into a “building” and immediately I’m met with a bookstore and coffee bar. That’s just not how I was brought up in church. Times change I suppose….
First Baptist of Atlanta, which is huge, and I do like, has those features, a bookstore, and a fairly large area to get coffee and nibble on a snack. It does fit with the atmosphere there which has very professionally done music with full orchestra and a huge choir. I think many attend for the music, but the preaching is very solid. Charles Stanley left it in good hands. That being said, it is in the smaller church settings that I feel more of the presence of the Holy Spirit. I don’t feel the mega churches are quiet enough for the still small voice to be noticed. Perhaps a little of mega churches draw people in and then as the true believers mature, at that point they seek out the advantages of being in a small close knit neighborhood church.
Good morning! It is pleasant weather here and great for the playoffs with the Braves and Phillie in Truist Park.
On the news, the Forestry Dept. said we have a 1% change in leaf color.
https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/1-in-6-protestant-churchgoers-attends-a-megachurch/
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Interesting stats, Janice. We have a young man who has land around us. He is pastoring in a nondenominational church that has been growing in our area. It started in one town and is now in three. I just heard they are starting in another small town near us. They meet in store front buildings or former businesses. We have been to one for a funeral. They also have regular worship services around the year in various local buildings meant to bring in folks from all the other Christian churches. We have some others of these types of churches around also.
I am glad for any ministry that helps people meet and grow in Christ, but it does make me sad to see so many traditional churches struggle or close. I also see the uniqueness of Christian church architecture being lost or perhaps, like in Europe, become relics of the past. Buildings can reflect the view we have of God for better or worse. Of course, that is a huge discussion.
Our pastor comes from one of those churches and has, essentially, brought the theological emphasis with him. The church we started attending is no longer there except for the building.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Interesting to think about, Kathaleena. The church where I have membership used to be a mega church until it declined. Now it still has the huge facilities but small congregation, my guess is maybe 200 or so. The other churches I have been a member at are probably around 70 active members.
I hope AJ is okay. He has posted nothing of the politics page so far today.
Finally, I succeeded in getting propane for winter heating at my brother’s home.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Our low was 41 this morning. It is cloudy and very fall like.
I had an early morning dental appt and stopped off to take care of a couple errands while in town. My lower lip is no longer numb but it’s a tad bit sore… We love our dentist.
There is something about entering an old church building. To me it is enveloping and safe for some reason. It is rather off putting to me when I walk into a “building” and immediately I’m met with a bookstore and coffee bar. That’s just not how I was brought up in church. Times change I suppose….
LikeLiked by 2 people
First Baptist of Atlanta, which is huge, and I do like, has those features, a bookstore, and a fairly large area to get coffee and nibble on a snack. It does fit with the atmosphere there which has very professionally done music with full orchestra and a huge choir. I think many attend for the music, but the preaching is very solid. Charles Stanley left it in good hands. That being said, it is in the smaller church settings that I feel more of the presence of the Holy Spirit. I don’t feel the mega churches are quiet enough for the still small voice to be noticed. Perhaps a little of mega churches draw people in and then as the true believers mature, at that point they seek out the advantages of being in a small close knit neighborhood church.
LikeLiked by 2 people